Excavating Chain Assembly for Adjustable Track Ballast Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing track maintenance machines face challenges in efficient handling and positioning during setup, installation, and dismantling, which affect operational efficiency and increase maintenance costs due to the complexity of excavating chain arrangements.
Innovation Solution
The excavating chain is designed to be divisible, allowing for adjustable positioning and connection via a coupling mechanism with mechanical connecting elements, enabling flexible and automated operation, and incorporating sensors and control systems for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the excavating chain is designed as a single integrated unit, then structural strength and stability are improved, but handling during setup, installation, and dismantling becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The excavating chain is divided into multiple individual chain links that can be connected together. Each chain link is a separate component that can be easily handled, transported, and assembled. The coupling mechanism allows these segmented links to be quickly connected and disconnected, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural strength when assembled and enabling easy handling when disassembled.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cutter bar is designed as a closed overall unit, then structural rigidity is improved, but adaptability in excavating width adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter bar is segmented into multiple bar elements that can be individually adjusted in position and alignment. These segmented elements are connected through couplings that allow for variable spacing, enabling the cutter bar to adapt to different excavating widths while maintaining structural rigidity when assembled. The segmentation allows both rigidity and adaptability to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutter bar design incorporates adjustable and movable bar elements that can be repositioned along the chain links. This dynamic configuration allows the structure to change its geometry according to different working conditions and excavating width requirements, while still maintaining structural rigidity during operation. The coupling mechanisms enable quick reconfiguration without compromising stability.
3Reliability
If mechanical connecting elements are used for the coupling mechanism, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical connecting elements are designed to be self-aligning and self-locating features integrated into the chain links and bar elements. The coupling mechanism uses simple mechanical features such as pins, slots, or interlocking geometries that automatically guide and secure components together without requiring complex alignment procedures or additional fastening operations. This maintains high connection reliability while minimizing added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A track maintenance machine with a conveyor or excavating chain arrangement for removing and collecting railway ballast and/or other formation or substructure layers of a track structure is shown, comprising a cutter bar which can be positioned below a track and which has at least two bar elements, each adjustable in position and alignment, and which is attached to an ascent channel and to a return channel. The device comprises a guided excavating chain consisting of a plurality of chain links, wherein the arrangement can be fastened to a machine frame via at least one height-adjustable suspension device. The excavating chain is designed to be divisible, that the bar elements can be connected via a coupling to form a closed overall unit, and that the arrangement can be variably adjusted in its excavating working width by adjusting the position of the bar elements.